Occupational Therapy Assistant salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Occupational Therapy Assistants in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median of $51,140 a year ($24.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,760 for the top 10%. That is 29% lower than the national median of $72,300. Pay here is 25% lower than the New York statewide median of $68,530. There are 0.37 occupational therapy assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $56,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for occupational therapy assistants in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,920 | $20.15 |
| 25th percentile | $50,270 | $24.17 |
| Median | $51,140 | $24.59 |
| 75th percentile | $62,000 | $29.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,760 | $32.58 |
| Average (mean) | $56,080 | $26.96 |
Half of occupational therapy assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,261.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,130.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,966.92 |
| Weekly | $983.46 |
| Hourly | $24.59 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $51,140 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Occupational Therapy Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $74,960 | 2,200 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $71,640 | 110 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $64,880 | 40 |
| Rochester, NY | $62,330 | 90 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $62,200 | 90 |
| Syracuse, NY | $60,320 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for occupational therapy assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $82,010 |
| California | $81,770 |
| Texas | $81,500 |
| Nevada | $79,510 |
| Arkansas | $78,940 |
| Delaware | $78,640 |
| Washington | $77,590 |
| New Mexico | $77,020 |
| Oregon | $76,850 |
| Georgia | $75,920 |
See Occupational Therapy Assistant pay in every state or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $56,630 | $27.23 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $35,870 | $17.25 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $36,570 | $17.58 |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,790 | $19.13 |
| Medical Assistant | $44,650 | $21.47 |
| Dental Assistant | $47,610 | $22.89 |
| Phlebotomist | $46,350 | $22.28 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $38,050 | $18.29 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $47,050 | $22.62 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $50,140 | $24.11 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $38,380 | $18.45 |
| Orderly | $36,400 | $17.50 |
| Massage Therapist | $61,830 | $29.73 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The median salary for occupational therapy assistants in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $51,140 a year, or $24.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapy assistants make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The top 10% of occupational therapy assistants in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn at least $67,760 a year. The top 25% earn $62,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapy assistants in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,920 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapy assistants earn $50,270 or less.
How many occupational therapy assistants work in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
About 200 occupational therapy assistants are employed in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.